MOBIL EXTENDS MLB TIE; SHOE DEALS DRYING UP FOR NFL PLAYERS?

          Mobil has signed on as MLB's "newest corporate sponsor
     with a view to leveraging the 'Speedpass' quick payment
     system," according to Terry Lefton of BRANDWEEK, who notes
     Mobil "isn't expected to leverage" until after the July 11
     All-Star Game.  The deal "replicates a post-season rights
     pact" from last year that "stimulated a surge" in Speedpass
     enrollment.  The new deal includes regular season rights and
     "specifies a minimum club spend" (BRANDWEEK, 5/22 issue).
          NO SHOES FOR YOU: The SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Liz
     Mullen cites agents as saying that, "As bad as the market
     has been in the last two years for signing NFL players to
     shoe deals, this year is shaping up to be the worst yet." 
     The "buzz" is that NFL licensees Nike, adidas and Reebok
     "will be even less aggressive in inking deals this year than
     in years past" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 5/22 issue).